Detroit Deltas . History

Date of Establishment: May 13, 1939

Type of Chapter: Graduate

Region: Midwest

In 1924, Tau Chapter of Detroit, Michigan was first chartered. Undergraduate students of the University of Detroit and Wayne State University, as well as alumnae members who met Grand Chapter requirements, made up Tau Chapter. The task of establishing the chapter was given to Lillian Woodyard Brown, formerly of Alpha Chapter at Howard University; Prudence Beasley Perry; and Sara Pelham Speaks of Nu Chapter, who were to make close inspection of Tau’s prospective membership.

In 1939, graduate Sorors of Tau who met the requirements set forth by Grand Chapter formed a graduate chapter in Detroit, Michigan. This newly formed chapter was named Alpha Pi Sigma. Members of Tau Chapter, prior to the establishment of Alpha Pi Sigma, are either listed under charter members of Alpha Pi Sigma or under the 1939 reissue of Tau Chapter’s charter. The new charter made Tau Chapter exclusively an undergraduate chapter.

In 1958, Grand Chapter decided that all graduate chapters were to be identified according to geographical area. Initial graduate chapters were to be identified by the name of the city and state in which they were located. It was because of the Grand Chapter’s decision that Alpha Pi Sigma was designated Detroit Alumnae Chapter in 1958.